Autographic register



Feb. 10, 1942. w. R. WRIGHT 2,272,497

AUTOGRAPHIC REG IS TER Filed may 29, 193% s sheets-sheet 1 Feb., 10,1942.1 w. R. WRIGHT 2,272,497

AUTOGRAPHIC lREGISTER l l I 11111111 11111111111 1111111111 Fig 38 w. R.wrighf Feb. l0, 194.2. w n WRIGHT AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER Filed May 29,1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.l6

W. R. Wrghf Pateritec Feb. 1G, 1942 AUTOGRAPHIC REGISTER William It.Wright, Lincoln, Nebr.

Application May 29, 1937, Serial No. 145,562

27 Claims.

My invention relates to autographic registers having among others thefollowing objects in view:

To provide an improved device in an autographic register for maintainingthe alignment of the strips of paper.

To provide a peg cooperating with a wedge for preserving the alignmentof the strips of paper, the peg and the wedge entering the apertures ofthe strips from the opposite sides of the strips.

To provide a peg and a cooperating wedge so Having in view these objectsand others which will be pointed out in the following description, Iwill now refer to the drawings, in which x Figure 1 is a top plan viewof my autographic register. l

Figure 2 is a view in vertical section on the line 2-v-2 of Figure 1.

arranged that the forward movement of the peg will displace the wedgefrom operative position to then move the strips of paper until theapertures of the strips are out of alignment with the peg and wedge.

To provide a peg and cooperating wedge for l' preserving the alignmentof the strips of paper, theA peg and wedge being so arranged that whenthe strips are drawn forward the peg will enter the aperture first to befollowed immediately afterward by the entrance of the wedge to stopfurther forward movement of the strips.

To provide an alignment maintaining peg for paper strips in anautographic register, the peg being spring pressed into operativeposition to be moved by finger pressure into inoperative position,retrograde movement being prevented until after the releasing movementof the peg has been completed.

To provide a clamp for the carbon paper so arranged that no buckling orwrinkling of the carbon paper can occur, the clamp having also a tearingedge against which the used portions of the carbon paper may be tornoff.

To provide a carbon paper receptacle for the A I leasy withdrawal of thecarbon paper without binding against the edges of the opening of thereceptacle.

To provide manual actuating means for an yalignment preserving peg in anautographic regthe operator, the drawer having overhanging flanges atits upper and rear ends and having a latch for maintaining the closedposition of the drawer, the latch being releasablev either with orwithout the operation of the strip shifting mechanism of the autographicregister.

Figure 3 is a View in horizontal section taken immediately above thetray. 4 y K Figure 4 is a view in vertical section on an enlarged scaleon the line 4-4 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a view in much enlarged scale on the line 5-5 of Figure 1. l

Figure 6 is a similar sectional view on the line 6-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 'l is a similar sectional view on the line l-'I of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a similar sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a view in transverse section on the line 9 2 of Figure 1.

Figure 10 is a view in isometric projection of a detail showing acooperating peg andwedge.

Figure 11 is a similar view of a detail showing the detent and rack.

Figure 12 is a similar view of a corner detail of the tray showingparticularly one member of the latch.

Figure 13 is a sectional view of an alternate form of peg and wedge.

Figure 14 is a plan view of a detail showing the peg and wedge of theFigure 13 form.

Figure 15 is a broken and sectional View in isometric projection of theframe of the autographic register.

Figure 16 is a transverse sectional view of the register, the view beingsimilar to that in Figure 4 but showing the parts on a largerscale andin greater detail and showing the cover shaped to accommodate thealternate form of peg and wedge.

All autographic registers of the present type include a platen I0 with'acover Ii spaced'apart and arranged for conducting superposed strips ofmemorandalengthwise over the platen and underneath the cover. The coveris provided with an opening for exposing a portion of the upper surfaceof the top strip of paper and it is on this surface that the originalmemoranda is made with pencil or pen. The strips underneath the topstrip must receive accurate copies of the memoranda. This is done bymeans of strips of carbon paper passing transversely between the stripsof record paper. The present autographic registers are nearly allprovided with a compartment I2 for the storage of the record stripseither in roll or zigzag form and a compartment I3 for the roll ofcarbon paper, the two chambers being arranged for movement of the recordstrips and strips of carbon paper over ther platen and iD. directionstransverse to each other.

to a point below the rack 26.

The top strip of paper usually has printed matter thereon and itprovides the sales slips after the entry has been made thereon. Thelower strips are also usually printed and for this reason it is vitallynecessary that the superposed strips be in accurate registration at thetime of entry of the memoranda. The strips of paper are apertured foraccurate registration and it is only necessary that the autographicregister be so designed as to maintain the registration of the aperturesin order to keep the strips in registration. This I accomplish largelyby means of the peg and wedge shown in Figure 10 and the actuatingmechanism shown in Figures '7 and 8.

The peg I4 and the wedge I5 are interfitting in a manner such that whenthey are together they form a cylindrical or frustoconieal member forsnugly seating in an aperture in the strip of paper. The peg I4 issecured to a plate I6 while the wedge I5 is secured to the leaf springI1 which in turn is secured to the cover I I. The plate I6 is adjustablysecured to a plate I8 which in turn is pivoted at I 9 to the sides ofthe frame, the pivot pin I9 being surrounded by a coil spring 20. Theplates I6 and I8 have out-turned ears connected by means of a tensionspring 2I The result is that the peg I4 has considerable movement aboutthe pivot I9 as well as toward and away from that pivot. The tendencyof' the spring 29 is to maintain the parts in the Figure 7 position butthese parts have certain movements which are under automatic 'control atall steps of the movement.

The raceway 22 is adapted to receive the pin 23 projecting from theplate I6. The peg I4 has freedom of movement within the aperture 24 ofthe platen I but as it approaches its extreme position the pin 23 issharply deilected to shorten the overall length of the plates I6 and I8.Continued movement brings the peg I4 into the Figure 8 position with thepin 23 well down in the raceway 22 and below the leaf spring 25. Thisleaf spring closes only one end of the wall underneath the raceway andthe other end is open so that further movement of the plates I6 and I 8about the pivot I9 must be with the pin 23 traveling on the under sideof the leaf spring 25 until the end of the spring 25 is reachedwhereupon the action of the spring 2I will result in the expansion ofthe overall length of the plates I6 and I8. The pivotal movement of theplates I6 and I8 about the pivot I9 must be complete and there must beno reverse movement of these parts until the peg I4 has reached theFigure 8 position as otherwise the paper strips would become torn orotherwise injured.

To prevent retrograde movement, I provide a rack 26 in xed position witha spring pressed detent 21 lor engaging the rack 26. As the peg I4 movesfrom its Figure 1 position towards its Figure 8 position, the detent 21rides in the rack 26 engaging one notch after another until the end ofthe movement. These notches are so arranged in their relation to thedetent that reverse movement is impossible. When the parts have reachedthe Figure 8 position, the pin 23 with its plate I6 has reached arelatively low position and has carried with it the detent 21 As theplates I and I8 move backwardly toward the Figure 7 position and withthe pin 23 riding on the under side of the leaf spring 25 the detent 21is out of engagement with the rack 26 until the pin 23 passes the end ofthe leaf spring. The detent 21 is, however, held in its operative planeby the pin 21a which limits its expansion.

The peg I4 and the wedge I5 have a very definite relation to each otheras well as to the other mechanism. The peg I4 is provided with a rib I4awhich cooperates with the groove I5a in the wedge I5 to prevent anyrelative lateral movement of the two parts. 'I'he peg I4 is alsoprovided with inclined ledges I4b on both sides of the rib I4a, theseledges acting against the inclined edges on the opposite sides of thegroove I 5a. The inclination is such that forward movement of the peg I4against the wedge I5 results in an upward thrust on the wedge I5 causingthe wedge to rise to the level of the upper surface of the upper stripof paper. The movements of the wedge I5 are limited by the leaf springI1 between the positions shown in Figures 7 and 8. The cover of theautographic register is provided with a pocket 23 for providing freedomof movement of the wedge I5 and the spring I1, the position of thepocket being best shown in Figure l.

While the movements of the peg I4 are under manual control, themovements of the wedge I5 are automatic in response to the movements ofthe peg I4 and of the strips 29. These strips are movable over theplaten I0 toward and through the opening 39 in the cover of theautographic register. Figure 7 shows the peg I4 and the wedge I5 withinthe registering apertures of the strips to properly maintain thealignment of the strips. Assuming that the peg I4 moves toward the leftin Figure '7, the wedge I5 will be separated from the peg I4 because ofthe inclined bevel relation between the two and the ends of the strips29 will be forced through the aperture 39. If the movement thencontinues to the Figure 8 position, the peg I4 will be in entirelyinoperative position while the wedge I5 will press lightly but yieldablyin a downward direction against the upper surface of the upper of thestrips 29. The wedge I5 can drop to a lower position only when it alignswith an aperture in the strips 29. The parts are so adjusted, however,that when the peg I4 has resumed its Figure '7 position and when thestrips 29 have been manually drawn forward until the registeringapertures in the strips are in the position to receive the peg I4, thewedge I5 will nd an opening for entering the apertures of the strips 29to automatically maintain the alignment of those strips. When the peg I4is returned by the spring 20 to its extreme position at the right, thespring 2| will exert a light but yieldable upward pressure against theunder surface of the lower of the strips 29. The peg I4 may complete itsmovement to extreme elevated position as shown in Figure 7 only when thestrips 29 have been drawn manually forward until the left hand edge ofthe aperture 24 is in position to receive the peg I4 which then entersthe aperture 24. The right hand surface of the peg I4 comes into contactwith the right hand side of the aperture 24 and functions as a stop toany further withdrawing movement of the strips 29. When the withdrawingmovement of the strips 29 is stopped by the peg I4 the left hand side ofthe aperture 24 is the furthest possible distance away from the lefthand side of the peg I4. The wedge I5 will then clear the left hand sideof the aperture 24 and drop to its lower position, preventing anybackward movement of the strips 29 and thus automatically holding thesestrips in alignment.

In Figure 13 I show a modied form of wedge. The peg I4' is secured to aplate I6 and it has the general shape ofthe peg I4. -It'has a bevelledgroove'for easy sliding thereon of the wedge I and it has means forpreventing lateral movement. The Wedge I5 is rmly secured at the side'ofa link 3I having a pivot 32 in the frame of the register. The operationis identical with that of the form shown in Figure 1I) and it will beapparent that numerous other modifications are possible. The wedge I5 isgravitationally operated toward operative position in the aperture ofthe paper strips. The two links 3| are secured together, Vthus providingmeans for holding down the ends of the sales slips and for keeping thepaper smooth. l

The means for initiating and manually controlling the movements are bestshown in Figures 5, 6, and 9. The plate 18 has a laterally projectingarm 33 of L-shape. A plunger 34 with its head 35 is spring pressed bymeans oi' the compression spring 36 to hold the plunger and its hinge inthe Figure 5 position. A link 31 connects-the arm 33 to the plunger 34.The head 35 is moveable in the socket 38. By pressing down on the head35 to depress the plunger 34,

the link 31 is moveable from the Figure' 5 t0 the Figure 6 position-andthis in turn causes the movement of the L-shaped arm 33 which carrieswith it the plates I6 and I8. The spring 36 tends to restore the plunger34v to the Figure 5 position but the detent 21 in the rack 26 willprevent retrograde movement of the parts until the initial movement hasbeen completed by the lfull depression of the head 35.

In the bottom of the autographic register is a compartment for slideablyreceiving a-tray 39 which is designed for receiving the slips upon whichthe records have been entered. This tray has overhanging flanges 4B, theinside edges of which are spaced apart by a distance less than thelength ofthe strips which the tray is tohold. As a result of theseflanges the strips of paper must be buckled slightly when they areinserted into the tray and they must be similarly buckled in order toremove them. By constructing the tray in this manner the slips cannotbecome 1 but at the same time it is so arranged that it may easily beopened. Projecting from the rear of the drawer is a rod 42 having itsend portions secured by a lcoil spring 43 which is anchored at its endsin the free end of the rod 42 and to a xed portion of the frame of theregister. Insertion of the drawer 39 to its full closing position willthus expand the spring 43 which will then tend to force the tray intoits open position as shown in Figure 3. One of the sides of the tray isprovided with an ear 44 which is formed in the tray itself as shown inFigure 12.v In the fully closed position of the tray the ear 44 will bein the position shown in Figure 5, the Figure 6 position showing theposition of the parts when the tray is unlatched and in open position.In Figure 5 the latch 45 holds the tray in closed position. This latchis secured to a leaf spring 45 which is secured to a xed part 41 of theregister. If it is desired to open the ftray immediately after thememoranda has been made, the

plunger 34 ls depressed to actuate the strip shifting-mechanism and theend of the nger in the socket 38 may then actuate by a trigger pullaction the latch release for the tray. This release consists ol aplunger 48 which is usually held in its uppermost position by means of acoil spring 49. The plunger 48 is connected through 'a link to a ringerpiece 50 for normally closing an aperture 5I in a wall of the socket 38.Pressure of the finger against the finger piece 50 will 'then .cause themovement of the plunger 48 from its Figure v5 to its Figure 6 positionto bear against the leaf spring 45 and to thus release the tray to openposition. If, however, it is desired to open the tray without actuatingthe strip shifting mechanism, there is providedan aperture 52 in thebottom of the register so that the operator may insert his finger toengage the end of the latch spring 45 to depress the leaf spring whichwill also unlatch the tray. In order to prevent the insertion of thefinger into the path of the latch 44, I provide a fixed shield 52a abovethe aperture52 and spaced therefrom.

The operating mechanism is almost entirely secured to the base and frameof the' autographic register and is almost entirely enclosed by the topand side walls which are of unitary construction and which are designedto seat over the frame. The'top wall has an opening as shown in Figure 1for exposing a portion of the upper strip while one of the end Walls hasan opening near its base for the passage therethrough of the drawer 39.Access to the working parts is important for the insertion of the stripsof record and carbon paper and for this reason the top is made readilyattachable and releasable. At one end there is a separable hingeconnection 53 While at the other end there is an aperture for receivinga spring pressed button 54. This button is connected to a slideable rod55 and is held normally in operative latohing position by means of aspring 56. The head 54 serves as a latch to hold the cover in place butthe cover may easily be released by pressing on the button 54 andlifting that end of the cover about the hinge 53.

I provide also a novel and very important device for maintaining thecarbon paper flat and without buckling. As shown particularly in Figures15 and 16, the roll of carbon paper 51 rests in the chamber I3 at oneside of the register andv it passes out through an opening between therollers 58 and 59. These rollers are so positioned relative to the vpathof the carbon paper as to resist the tendency of the roll of carbonpaper to bind against the opening edges of the chamber I3. The carbonpapers travel from one side to the other of the register between thestrips of record paper which travel lengthwise of the register.Heretofore, the ends of the carbon paper have been held under a knifeclamp resulting in uneven clamping action and the buckling of the carbonpaper with consequent rough edges after tearing and with imperfectcarbon impressions. For preventing this I provide a hingedstrap 60 ofmetal or other suitably stiff material under which the carbon paper musttravel. 'I'his strap 60 is adapted to rest against the side of the frameof the autographic register and to retain the edge portion of the carbonpaper in the clamping relation with the side of the frame of theautographic register. The edge of the strap 60 also funtions as atearing edge for the removal of discarded portions of the carbon paper.For the convenience of the operator the strap 60 is slightly buckled at6I for the insertion of a fingernail in lifting the strap 60 on itshinges and for frictional contact between the cover II and the strap 60with the minimum of surface area in contact. When the cover is placed inposition as shown in Figure 16, the side of the cover will bear againstthe strap 60 to effectively clamp the end edge portion of the carbonpaper.

It will be noted that my autographic register is in the form of arectangular parallelopiped with substantially smooth and continuoussurfaces and without the usual crank handle or other parts projectingfrom the register. Even the paper strips 29 are entirely enclosed and inthe position shown in Figure 7 so that they cannot be accidentally torn.

In operation, the peg and wedge and the associated parts are in theposition shown in Figure 7. The entry is made in the usual manner on thetop strip 29 so that carbon duplicates are made on the strips below thetop strip. After the entry is made, the operator depresses the head 35from its Figure position to its Figure 6 position and this causes themovement of the peg and wedge from their Figure '7 position to theirFigure 8 position. The forward pressure on the peg I4 bearing againstthe wedge nI5 causes the wedge to move upwardly into the position shownin Figure 8. The continued movement of the peg I4 then forces the paperstrips 29 into the position shown in Figure 8. During the forwardmovement of the peg I4 the pin 23 travels in the raceway 22 until thepin passes the end of the spring 25 into the position shown in Figure 8.Should the operator release the pressure on the head 35 before thismovement has been completed, the peg I4 is prevented from movingrearwardly through the action of the detent 21 on the rack 26 but themovement may be completed by further pressure on the head 35. When theparts reach the Figure 8 position the peg I4 is free to complete itscircuit but the path of its travel is governed by the movement of thepin 23 against the under side of the spring 25. The movement itself willbe automatic about the pivot I9 under the influence of the spring 20.Since the pin 23 is held in its lowermost position against the underside of the spring 25, the peg I4 cannot contact with the strips 29until the pin 23 passes the rearward end of the spring 25, When thispoint is reached the spring 2| will force the peg I4 upwardly againstthe under side of the strips 29 but in rear of the aperture formerlyoccupied by the peg in the strips 29. At this point the peg I4 will bearagainst the under side of these strips While the wedge I5 will beyieldably held against the upper surface of the strips. The operatorthen grips the protruding end of the strips 29 with his thumb andforenger and draws them out until the next succeeding aperture in thestrips is in position to be occupied by the peg I4 and the wedge I5. Thestrips are then torn off on the tearing edge of the slot 30 and theregister is ready to receive the next entry.

One copy is usually turned over to the customer as a `sales slip whilethe other copies are preserved. For the convenient storage of theretained copies, the drawer 39 is in its most convenient position forthe operator. If these copies are to be inserted into the drawerimmediately after they are torn from the strips 29, a slight pressure onthe nger piece 50 will release the latch ofthe drawer into its openingposition immediately in front of the operator. The presysure on thefinger piece 50 may be made simultaneously `with, the downward pressureon the head 35. Since the action of the spring 43 in opening the drawer39 causes the rapid movement of the drawer with the possibility ofjamming the stored records, the drawer has the anges 4I] for retainingthe stored records under the sudden movements of the drawer 39. Shouldit become necessary or desirable, however, to open the drawer withoutshifting and thus wasting a portion of the strips 29, the operator mayinsert his finger through the aperture 52 to release the latch so thatit will be free to move to open position under the inuence of the spring43.

A defect in prior autographic registers is the inadequate clampingarrangement for the ends of the carbon paper. By hinging the metallicstrap 60 in parallel relation with the carbon paper as shown in Figure15, the strap 60 will apply equal pressure to all parts of the carbonpaper to thus avoid buckling or wrinkling. At the same time the edge ofthe strap 60 serves as a tearing edge for the removal of the discardedportions of the carbon paper. The adjustment of the carbon paper is madewhile the cover of the autographic register is removed from the base sothat when the cover is again applied to the base the side of the coverwill bear against the strap 60 to force it into and to maintain it inclamping engagement against the ends of the carbon paper as shown inFigure 16.

Having thus described my invention in such full, clear, and exact termsthat its construction and operation will be readily understood by othersskilled in the art to which it pertains, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent of the `United States is:

l. An autographic register having strip alignment maintaining means, adrawer slideably secured to said autographic register, overhanging frontand rear flanges on said drawer, spring means for yieldably maintainingsaid drawer in open position, a latch for maintaining said drawer inclosed position, means for releasing said strip alignment maintainingmeans, means associated therewith for releasing said' latch after therelease of said. strip alignment maintaining means, and other means forreleasing said latch, said last-named means being independent of saidstrip alignment maintaining means whereby said latch may be releasedeither with or without the release of said strip alignment maintainingmeans.

2. An autographic register having a platen for the passage thereover ina forward direction of the superposed strips of paper, a tearing edgefor tearing off the portions of the strips containing the memoranda,means for preserving the alignment of the strips of paper, fingeroperated means for releasing said alignment preserving means and forshifting forwardly the strips of paper, a drawer secured in saidautographic register and slideable forwardly therein, a latch formaintaining said drawer in closed position, a finger operated releaseassociated with said finger operated means for releasing said latchafter the release of said alignment preserving means, and a secondfinger operated release for said latch, said second finger operatedrelease being independent of said means for releasing said alignmentpreserving means,

3. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a peg, means forsupporting said peg and moving the same into an aperture when the stripsare drawn forwardly, a wedge, and means for moving -said Wedge into saidaperture into lateral engagement with said peg immediately after theentrance of said peg, said peg and said wedge being so shaped that whenso positioned in lateral engagement with each other theysubstantiallyfill the aperture of the strips for preserving the alignment of thestrips.

4. In an autograph-ic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a peg, means forsupporting the peg below said -supporting means for the strips of paperand for urging the same upwardly so as to bear against the strips andenter an aperture thereof when they are drawn forwardly, a wedge, andmeans for supporting said. wedge above said paper strip supporting meansand urging the same downwardly into pressing contact with the uppersurface of the strips at such la point that said wedge will enter saidaperture adjacent said peg, said peg and said wedge being complementaryin transverse outline for substantially filling said aperture to therebymaintain the alignment of the strips.

5. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a peg, means forsupporting said peg below the path of movement of the strips and forurging the same upwardly so as to bear against the strips and enter anaperture thereof when they are drawn forwardly, a Wedge, and means forsupporting said wedge above the path of movement ofthe strips forwardlyof the peg and urging the same downwardly into pressing contact'with theupper surface of the strips so that said wedge will enter said apertureadjacent said peg immediately after the entrance of the peg, said pegand said wedge being complementary in transverse outline forsubstantially filling said aperture of the strips to thereby maintainthe alignment thereof.

6. In an autographic register having a platen with an aperture thereinand arranged for controlled sliding movement thereover of superposedstrips of paper with aligning apertures, aligning members, one a peg andthe other a wedge, means for supporting one of said aligning membersunderneath the platen and yieldably urging the member upwardly throughthe aperture of the platen and into an aperture of the strips of paperwhen the strips are drawn forwardly over the platen to a point at whichthe aperture of the strips is immediately above the aperture of theplaten, and means for supporting the other of said aligning membersabove the platen and for yieldably urging said member against the uppersurface of the strips of paper to enter said aperture immediately aftersaid first mentioned aligning member enters the same, said peg and wedgealigning members being complementary in form for substantially fillingthe aperture of the strips.

7. In an autographic register having means for slideably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members on opposite sides ofsaid paper supporting means and for causing said members to enter fromopposite sides an aperture of the strips of paper when said strips aredrawn forwardly, the contacting surfaces of said members being inclinedwhereby when said members are moved toward each other, one of saidmembers is forced out of the plane of the paper strips. and means formoving one of said members against the other of said members. l

8. In an autographic register having means for slideablyl supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting Vsaid members on opposite sidesof said paper `supporting means and for causing said members to enterfromopposite sides an aperture of the strips of paper when said stripsare drawn forwardly, the contacting surfaces of said members beinginclined whereby when said members are moved toward each other, one ofsaid members is forced out of the plane of the paper strips, means formoving one of said members against the other of said members, and meansfor preventing retrograde movement of said one member before said othermember has been forced out of the plane of the paper strips.

9. In an autographic register having means for slideably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting saidmembers on opposite sides ofsaid paper supporting means and for causing said members to enter fromopposite sides an aperture of'the strips of paper when said strips aredrawn forwardly, `the contacting surfaces of said members being soiinclined that When a first of said members is moved towards the secondof said members in the direction of travel of the strips of paper, thepressure of said rst member will force the latter out of the plane ofthe paper strips land out of engagement with said first member wherebyfurther movement of said first member will exert a forward pressure onthe strips to shift the aperture of the strips out of alignment withsaid second member, and means for imparting movement to said firstmember in the direction of said second member.

10. In an autographic register .having means for slideably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members on opposite sides ofsaid paper supporting means and for causing said members to enter fromopposite sides an aperture of the strips of paper when said strips aredrawn forwardly, the contacting surfaces of said .members being soinclined that when a first of said members is moved toward the second ofsaid members 'in the direction of travel of the strips of paper,

- the pressure of said rst member will force the latter out of the planeof the paper strips'and out of engagement with said first member wherebyfurther movement of said first member will exert a forward pressure onthe strips to shift the aperture of the strips out of alignment withsaid second member, and means for imparting movement to said firstmember first in the direction of said second member to cause said firstmember to move said second member out of the plane of the paper stripsand. out of engagement with said first member and then in a directiontransverse to said supporting means to cause said first member to moveout of the plane of the strips of paper.

1l. In an autographic register having means for slideably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members on opposite sides ofsaid paper supporting means and for causing said members to enter fromopposite sides an aperture of the strips of paper when said strips aredrawn'forwardly, the

contacting surfaces of said members being so inclined that when a firstof said members is moved toward the second of said members in thedirection of travel of the strips ofA paper, the pressure of said rstmember will force said second member out of the plane of the paperstrips and out of engagement with said first member whereby furthermovement of said first member will exert a forward pressure on thestrips to shift the aperture of the strips out of alignment with saidsecond member, means for imparting movement to said first member rst inthe direction of said second member to cause said first member to movesaid second member out of the plane of the paper strip and out ofengagement with said rst member and then in a direction transverse tosaid supporting means to cause said rst member to move out of the planeof the strips of paper, and means for preventing retrograde movement ofsaid first member before said member has moved out of the plane of thepaper strips.

12. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said U members on opposite sidesof said paper supporting means and for causing said members to enterfrom opposite sides an aperture of the strips of paper when said stripsare drawn forwardly, the contacting surfaces of said members being soinclined that when a first of said members is moved toward the second ofsaid members in the direction of travel of the strips of paper, thepressure of said rst member will force said second member out of theplane of the paper strips and out of engagement with said first memberwhereby further movement of said first member will exert a forwardpressure on the strips to shift the aperture of the strips out ofalignment with said second member, means for imparting movement to saidfirst member rlrst in the direction of said second member to cause saidfirst member to move said second member out of the plane of the paperstrips and out of engagement with said rst member and then in adirection transverse to said supporting means to cause said first memberto move out of the plane of the strips of paper, means for preventingretrograde movement of said first member before said member has movedout of the plane of the paper strips, and means for automaticallyreturning said rst member to a position in contact with the undersurface of the paper strips at a point in the rear of the aperturepreviously occupied by said aligning members.

13.. In an autographic register having means for slideablyY supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, and means for supporting said members on oppositesides of said paper supporting means laterally adjacent each other andfor resiliently urging said members against the strips of paper so thatwhen said strips of paper are moved to a point at which an aperturethereof is adjacent said members, said members will successively entersaid aperture in lateral engagement with each other, said members beingso shaped that when placed in lateral engagement with each other theirtransverse outline corresponds substantially in size and shape to thatof the strip apertures.

14. In an autographic register having means ior slideably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, and means for supporting said members on oppositesides of said paper supporting means laterally adjacent each other andfor resiliently urging said members against the strips of paper so thatwhen said strips of paper are moved to a point at which an aperturethereof is adjacent said members, said members will successivelyentersaid-aperture in lateral engagement with each other, said membersbeing so shaped that when placed in lateral engagement with each othertheir transverse outline corresponds substantially in size and shape tothat of the strip apertures and the engaging faces of said members beinginclined so that a wedge action is obtained to thereby more effectivelyiill said aperture and hold said strips in alignment.

15. In an autographic register having means for slideably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members laterally adjacenteach other and for resiliently urging the same in the direction of saidpaper supporting means so that when said strips of paper are moved to apoint at which an aperture thereof is adjacent said members, saidmembers will successively enter said aperture in lateral engagement witheach other, said members being so shaped that when placed in lateralengagement with each other their transverse outline correspondssubstantially in size and shape to that of the strip apertures.

16. An autographic register having strip alignment maintaining means, adrawer slideably secured to said autographic register, a latch formaintaining said drawer in closed position, means for releasing saidstrip alignment means, said releasing means comprising a plunger, atubular guide member therefor, and means biasing said plunger to itsinactive position, and releasing means for said latch comprising afinger piece extending into an aperture in said guide member at a pointsuch that it is normally concealed by said plunger but accessible uponsaid plunger being moved to its alignment means releasing positionagainst the action of said biasing means.

17. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, and means for supporting said members on oppositesides of said paper supporting means laterally adjacent each other andfor resiliently urging said members against the strips of paper so thatwhen said strips of paper are moved to a point at which an aperturethereof is adjacent said members, said members will successively entersaid aperture in lateral relation with each other, said members being soformed that when so positioned in lateral relation in the aperture theyfirmly engage the wall of the aperture at a plurality of points.

18. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a peg and a wedge,means for supporting said peg and said wedge on opposite sides of saidpaper supporting means laterally adjacent each other, and meansincluding said peg and wedge supporting means operative when said stripsof paper are moved to a point at which an aperture is adjacent said pegand wedge to move said peg and wedge into said aperture laterallyadjacent each other.

19. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips or paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members on opposite sides ofsaid paper supporting means laterally adjacent each other, and meansincluding said aligning members supporting means operative when saidstrips of paper are moved to a point at which an aperture is adjacentsaid members to move said members into said aperture in lateral relationwith each other, said members being so formed that when so positioned inlateral relation in the aperture, they rmly engage the wall of theaperture at a plurality of points.

20. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members laterally adjacenteach other and for resiliently urging the same in the direction of saidpaper supporting means so that when said strips of paper are moved to apoint at which an aperture thereof is adjacent said members, saidmembers will successively enter said aperture in lateral relation witheach other, said members being so shaped that when placed in lateralrelation with each other they rmly engage the wall of the aperture at aplurality of points.

21. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members laterally adjacenteach other and for resiliently urging the same in the direction of saidpaper supporting means so that when said strips of paper are moved to apoint at which an aperture thereof is adjacent said members, saidmembers will successively enter said aperture in lateral relation witheach other, said members being so shaped that when placed in lateralrelation with each other in the aperture they firmly engage the wall ofthe aperture at a plurality of points, and means for rst moving oneofsaid strip aligning members out of said aperture and then moving thestrips of paper by moving the other of said members in the direction oftravel of said paper.

22. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members laterally adjacenteach other and for resiliently urging the same in the direction of saidpaper supporting means so that when said strips of paper are moved to apoint at which an aperture thereof is adjacent said members, saidmembers will successively enter said-aperture in lateral relation witheach other, said members being so shaped that when placed in lateralrelation with each other they firmly engage the wall of the aperture ata plurality of points, and means for moving one of said strip aligningmembers in the direction of travel of said paper and thereafterretracting said member from said aperture.

23. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for supporting said members laterally adjacenteach other and for resiliently urging the same in the direction of saidpaper supporting means so that when said strips of paper are moved to apoint at which an aperture thereof is adjacent said members, Saidmembers will successively enter said aperture in lateral relation witheach other, said members being so shaped that when placed in lateralrelation with each other they firmly engage the wall of the aperture ata plurality of points, means for moving one of said strip aligningmembers in the direction of travel of said paper and thereafterretracting said member from said aperture, and means for preventingretrograde movement of said last named means until said member has beenwithdrawn from said aperture.

24. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with valigning apertures, a first platepivotally mounted at the forward end of said register, a second platevertically slidably mounted on said first plate and including a stripaligning member adapted to enter said aligning apertures when inregistry therewith, biasing means for urging the slidable plate towardsthe paper, reciprocable means operative when moved in one direction toswing said first plate and slidable plate forwardly for initiating afeeding movement to the strips and to depress the strip aligning memberat the forward limit of oscillatable movement, means for preventingretrograde movement of said plates until said strip aligning member hasbeen withdrawn, and means for returning the plates after feedingmovement and upon return movement of said reciprocable means.

25. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a pair of stripaligning members, means for independently supporting said aligningmembers laterally adjacent each other and for individually moving saidmembers into an aperture of said strips when said paper is moved to apoint at which said aperture is adjacent said members, the supportingmeans for one of said members comprising a hinged plate, a reciprocableplunger operatively connected to said hinged plate, and means includingsaid plunger operable when said plunger is moved in one direction firstto force one of said members out of said aperture, then to advance saidpapers by swinging said plate, and finally to withdraw the other of saidmembers from said aperture.

26. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, pivotally mountedmeans including a strip aligning member adapted to enter said aligningapertures when in registry therewith, actuating means operable to swingsaid pivotally mounted means forwardly for initiating a feeding movementto the strips and to withdraw the strip aligning member from saidapertures at the forward limit of oscillatable movement, and means forpreventing retrograde movement of said pivotally mounted means untilsaid strip aligning member has been withdrawn.

27. In an autographic register having means for slidably supportingsuperposed strips of paper with aligning apertures, a strip aligningmember adapted to enter said aligning apertures when in registrytherewith, means for moving said strip aligning member forwardly forinitiating a feeding movement to the strips and to withdraw the stripaligning member from said apertures adjacent the forward limit of itsmovement, and means for preventing retrograde movement of said aligningmember until the same has been withdrawn from the apertures.

WILLIAM R. WRIGHT.

